Memories

It's wet outside from the rain today, so I thought I'd take a walk down memory lane instead of walking outside.  

For some reason, my dad's parents were on my mind today.  My grandmother passed away when I was 10 years old and I don't remember much about her.   She was 3 years older than my grandfather just as I am 3 years older than BG.  Her first husband had died leaving her a widow with a young daughter.

My grandfather's first wife had died leaving him a widower, also with a young daughter.  He and my grandmother met and married.  When Granny was 42, my dad was born.  My dad then had 2 step-sisters...who ended up marrying brothers.  This was always fun to explain!  There wasn't much visiting between my dad and his sisters in later years, so I didn't really know them all that well.  

  
My dad had an excellent memory and was a great story-teller.  He liked to tell the story of the time my grandparents...who lived on a small farm and often struggled to make ends meet, particularly during the depression...were in the kitchen talking about taxes and my grandfather was worrying that he didn't have enough money to pay them.  He said my grandmother didn't say a word, but got up from the kitchen table where they'd been sitting and left the room.

Granny came back in the kitchen and handed a bulging envelope to my grandfather.  He opened it up and just stared.  There was enough money to pay the taxes.  There was a milk cow and chickens on the farm and my grandmother made butter and sold eggs along with the butter to a little country market to make extra money.  She had saved it unbeknownst to my grandfather. 

I wish I had an excellent memory like my dad.  I just can't remember what my grandfather did the years after Granny died until his health started to fail and he moved in with my parents.  One thing I do remember and will never forget...Grandpa gave me my first wristwatch on my 18th birthday.  It was a beautiful gold Hamilton watch and although he had little money, he wanted me to have a good watch.  I still have that watch in an old jewelry box.

Another memory is of him sitting in his rocking chair in his room, singing When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder.  That was his favorite hymn.  Grandpa was in a nursing home the last two years of his life and lived to age 92.  He was a dear, sweet man that I'm glad was part of my life.  I just wish I could remember more, but the important things are never forgotten.  He loved his family and he was loved in return.

Happy Saturday to you!
xo Cheryl